Queensland, Australia, launches red light warning signs trial

The State Transport Minister of Queensland, Australia, Rachel Nolan, has launched a two-year trial of red light camera warning signs at nine major intersections in the state's southeast, to deter motorists from running the lights. If the trial proves successful, the “Red Light Camera Ahead” signs could be introduced out at 136 locations throughout the state. Ms Nolan says that the nine trial intersections had a history of red light running, with 71,889 detected offenses between them over a two-year period.

She says the trial proved that the Government put safety ahead of revenue from fines. “This trial will undoubtedly lead to a drop in fine revenue, but that will happen because fewer people will run red lights. Lots of people still describe traffic policing as revenue raising and I hope they will take this as living proof that safety here, as ever, is the Government's first priority. As I have said before, I am briefed on all fatal traffic accidents in the state and I can tell you that accidents as a result of people running red lights are tragic and avoidable - but they are not uncommon.”

Spokesman for the RACQ motoring organization, Gary Fites, says motorists were becoming increasingly callous at light-controlled intersections. “Intersection collisions are, by their nature, the most dangerous - you are looking at T-boning type crashes,” he says. “There is a lot of fairly reliable anecdotal evidence that people are less respectful of traffic lights than they used to be.” Unlike speed cameras, there is no legal requirement in Australia to warn motorists which intersections hold red light cameras. Currently, motorists are fined US$253 (A$300) and lose three demerit points if caught on red light cameras.
 

5 August 2009